If you’re looking to slim your waistline, tone your muscles, and reduce cellulite, microlaser body sculpting may be the answer. In fact, microlaser body sculpting is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States today.
Microlaser body sculpting is a minimally invasive treatment that helps tighten skin and remove fat cells in hard-to-reach areas.
We will tell you everything you need to know about microlaser body sculpting: what it is, how it works, its benefits and drawbacks, and its effectiveness based on scientific research.
What is microlaser body sculpting?
It is an effective alternative to traditional liposuction, especially when it comes to localized deposits of excess fat in the abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs.
This procedure does not require general anesthesia. The patient is awake throughout the treatment. They are given oral medication to relax but remain alert so they can listen to music or talk to their doctor.
The general anesthesia used in traditional liposuction comes with risks and takes several days to leave your body. Patients who use microlaser body sculpting take minimal risk and return to their normal daily routine in 24-48 hours.
How does microlaser body sculpting work?
Microlaser body sculpting uses a microcannula technique. A cannula is inserted into the fat layers penetrating into the skin. In the traditional method of liposuction, the cannulas were usually more than 6 mm in diameter, which often resulted in severe blood loss and postoperative skin disfigurement.
The microlaser technique uses microcannulas with a diameter of 1 to 2.5 mm, resulting in significantly less scarring and a smoother result. As it heals, the area leaves a mark that looks like a freckle or a natural blemish on the skin, instead of a noticeable surgical scar as with traditional liposuction.
No stitches mean no need to visit a surgeon to remove them. Instead, the entry point is left open for natural healing.
Microlasers also stimulate the production of new collagen, which helps to improve the appearance of the skin over time.
Microlaser body sculpting can tighten and smooth the skin pretty much anywhere:
- Face and neck lifting;
- Arms and thighs lifting;
- Abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks lifting (body lift).
How effective is microlaser body sculpting? Based on scientific studies
There is little research on the effectiveness of microlaser body sculpting. However, there is some promising evidence that this treatment may help safely reduce body fat, cellulite, and improve skin elasticity.
A study [1] was involving 5 patients with abdominal obesity who were treated with a laser (a wavelength of 1064/1320 nm). Three months after surgery, the average index of skin tightening (elasticity) was 26%; the average area reduction was 17%. This testifies to the positive changes in the skin as a result of the addition of laser treatment to lipo.
The following study [2] examines the use of laser-assisted liposuction versus suction liposuction (traditional). These types of treatments were performed on one or more areas of the body in 25 patients. As a result of the treatment, no complications were observed. On the sides of laser lipoplasty, less pain was found, and more damage to fat cells. These data confirm that laser-assisted lipo is more effective than traditional lipoplasty.
This study [3] focused on the radiation of cellulite using a microlaser. 52 patients with grade III-IV cellulite were treated with laser lipolysis in combination with fat transplantation. As a result, the procedure resulted in significant clinical improvement in cellulite. Side effects were mild and temporary, and the postoperative period was well tolerated. The majority of patients (84.6%) rated the treatment results as good or excellent.
Another study [4] confirms the safety and efficacy of lipo using a microlaser to reduce small unwanted body fat. The study included 30 patients with moderate body fat. Patients were treated with this system once every two weeks. The external evaluation showed a 37% improvement after 3 months. showed a decrease in body fat by an average of 17%. The most common side effects were minor bruising and swelling, which disappeared within 2 weeks.
The last study [5] was involving 36 women who were divided into two groups: group 1 underwent a lipo laser and group 2 underwent traditional liposuction. The results showed a significant reduction in fat thickness in each group compared to baseline. However, overall patient satisfaction in the lipolysis group was higher than with liposuction: 11 (61%) patients receiving lipolysis were very satisfied, as opposed to 10 (55.5%) patients receiving liposuction who reported “dissatisfied or neutral” results.
Who can use microlaser body sculpting
Microlaser body sculpting is a safe and effective treatment for all skin types. This treatment is perfect for those who exercise but still can’t lose stubborn fat.
Microlaser body sculpting is good for the patient who wants to focus on specific problem areas such as:
- Tummy and “love handles”;
- Saddlebags;
- Double chin;
- Bra fat.
It not only improves the shape of the body but also tightens the skin, smoothes cellulite and stretch marks.
Ideally, you should be within 20 pounds of your ideal weight and in good health to be a suitable candidate for this procedure. Your skin should be slightly to moderately loose. If your skin is too loose as a result of rapid and intense weight loss, you may be a better candidate for skin removal surgery, which tightens the skin.
In addition, you must have realistic expectations of what this procedure can do to your body contour. Results can be seen immediately with continued improvement over 3 to 6 months. However, you will need to maintain the results you get from living a healthy lifestyle.
Contraindications with microlaser body sculpting treatment
There are a number of general contraindications that should be taken into account:
- Presence of skin diseases on the area to be treated (eczema, psoriasis, etc.);
- Pregnancy and lactation;
- Presence of malignant tumors in the area to be treated;
- Taking medications that increase sensitivity to light (tetracyclines, isotretinoin, etc.);
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Thus, it is very important to consult a specialist before conducting a microlaser body sculpting procedure. This will help to avoid unpleasant consequences and fast-track the results that you want to achieve.
How to prepare for microlaser body sculpting
Since the procedure is relatively new, there is still some uncertainty about how best to prepare for it. However, we can draw on the experience of surgeons who have already used microlaser body modeling to develop a safe and effective preoperative plan.
In general, you should avoid eating and drinking six hours before your procedure. This will help make sure your stomach is empty and not interfering with ultrasound images. You may be asked to refrain from taking anticoagulants, such as aspirin, for a week or two before your procedure.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on what to do on the day of your procedure. In most cases, you will be asked to arrive at the clinic a few hours before the scheduled start of your procedure. You will be given a gown and asked to remove a piece of clothing so that the surgeon can better assess the areas to be treated.
You will be placed on a table and given a local anesthetic. The microlasers will then be used to create a pinpoint incision of the area where the fat cells are located. The fat cells are removed with a suction device.The procedure usually takes about an hour. Bruising and swelling may appear on the treated area, but these will disappear within a few days. You can return to your normal activities a day or two after the procedure.
Benefits and drawbacks of microlaser body sculpting
Microlaser body sculpting is a minimally invasive technique to eliminate localized fat cells. The treatment can be applied to any body part to selectively target fat deposits in the desired area. However, this method of treatment is more effective and less invasive than traditional liposuction.
So, before starting treatment, it is worth considering the benefits and drawbacks that may affect your choice.
Benefits
- Removal of fat in one session;
- Minimal downtime. You can return to work in 24-48 hours;
- Tightens the skin and makes it denser because the laser procedure promotes the production of collagen;
- Designed for fat removal and contouring of most parts of the body, including under the chin and in the neck;
- Unlike liposuction and other surgical procedures, a microlaser does not requiregeneral anesthesia;
- While traditional liposuction takes about 6 months to heal, a microlaser gives results in about a month;
- Prevention of blood loss due to local anesthesia, which causes the capillary blood vessels to contract. This virtually eliminated blood loss during or after the procedure, which is common in traditional liposuction.
- Less pain, swelling, bruising, and trauma in the treated area, as opposed to more invasive methods (traditional liposuction, injections).
Drawbacks
- The cost of microlaser body sculpting can range from $2,500 to $5,500;
- Some contraindications (skin diseases in the area to be treated, pregnancy, and lactation; the presence of malignant tumors) should be considered when choosing this method of treatment.
Summary
Microlaser body sculpting is a new procedure that uses microcannula and laser technology to remove fat cells from the body. The procedure works by destroying fat cells and gently removing them. Unlike liposuction, removal of these cells occurs with the help of local anesthesia, which is a big plus, because it means that you’ll experience less pain and swelling.
The technology used in microlaser body sculpting also increases collagen. This results in a smoother appearance. However, you’ll need at least two of these micro-laser body sculpting sessions to achieve the results you want.
FAQ
💉 Is microlaser body sculpting invasive?
The microlaser body sculpting procedures are minimally invasive compared to traditional fat removal and body shaping methods. Patients are fully awake; the use of scalpels or overly abrasive instruments is avoided to ensure maximum safety.
📌 What are the risks of microlaser body sculpting?
The risks of microlaser body sculpting are minimized, but still include bruising, swelling, and infection, as is common with any cosmetic procedure. The risk of more serious side effects is greatly minimized since there is no general anesthesia during this procedure.
🔍 Is general anesthesia used for microlaser body sculpting?
By using microlaser body sculpting, patients are not subject to general anesthesia. They will be awake all the time.
🧐 How is microlaser body sculpting different from traditional liposuction?
Traditional liposuction often requires general anesthesia, but microlaser body sculpting is always performed under local anesthesia. Recovery with microlaser body sculpting requires much less downtime, just 1-2 days compared to 4-6 weeks after traditional liposuction. Since conventional liposuction requires more manual work, damage to your lymphatic system, which is responsible for the smoothness of your skin, is very likely. This excessive damage can be avoided with the gentle microlaser body sculpting technology, minimizing all the risks associated with liposuction.
❓ Will microlaser body sculpting tighten my skin?
Yes, microlaser body sculpting promotes the production of collagen, which strengthens and lifts the skin.
Sources
- Barry E. DiBernardo, Jennifer Reyes. Evaluation of skin tightening after laser-assisted liposuction. – Aesthet Surg J. Sep-Oct 2009;29(5):400-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.asj.2009.08.006.
- Arturo Prado, Patricio Andrades, Stefan Danilla, Patricio Leniz, Paulo Castillo, Fancy Gaete. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial comparing laser-assisted lipoplasty with suction-assisted lipoplasty. – Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006 Sep 15;118(4):1032-1045. DOI: 10.1097/01.prs.0000232428.37926.48.
- Alberto Goldman, Robert H. Gotkin, Deborah S. Sarnoff, Clarissa Prati, Flávia Rossato. Cellulite: a new treatment approach combining subdermal Nd: YAG laser lipolysis and autologous fat transplantation. – Aesthet Surg J. Nov-Dec 2008;28(6):656-62. DOI: 10.1016/j.asj.2008.09.002.
- Karen H. Kim, Roy G. Geronemus. Laser lipolysis using a novel 1,064 nm Nd: YAG Laser. – Randomized Controlled Trial Dermatol Surg. 2006 Feb;32(2):241-48; discussion 247.
- Neda Valizadeh, Niloofar Y. Jalaly, Manijeh Zarghampour, Behrooz Barikbin, Hamid Reza Haghighatkhah. Evaluation of safety and efficacy of 980-nm diode laser-assisted lipolysis versus traditional liposuction for submental rejuvenation: A randomized clinical trial. – J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2016;18(1):41-5. DOI: 10.3109/14764172.2015.1039041. Epub 2015 Jul 3.
